259 
pair for shelter, on the approach of a storm. 
Other less numerous flocks^ of the Eiders 
branch out, colonize and breed further 
southward in both Europe and America : 
they are found on the promontories and 
numerous isles of the coast of Norway, the 
Feroet Isles, and on those of the Northern, 
and the Hebrides or the Western Isles of 
* « Nothing can be more pleasant in a fine day than 
to see two or three dozen of them sailing by : the lively 
black and white of the males, intermixed with the 
darker colours of the females, contribute much to di- 
versify the scene ; they are very thick of feathers, 
which makes them sit high on the water, and much 
adds to their appearance," Loza?s Fauna Orcadensis* 
t " The Eider Duck, in Feroese eava, reside* 
constantly in these islands, and in considerable numbers ; 
but might be more abundant if the royal mandate for 
preserving them were strictly observed. A clergyman 
named Diurhuus, was at considerable expence to form 
an island, in a small inland lake named Toftevatn, for 
the purpose of affording shelter to the Eider Ducks, 
and in some years he had the satisfaction to have more 
than a hundred pairs, which built their nests there, and 
produced him a considerable revenue ; but it is much 
to be regretted that this colony was not attended with 
the wished-for success." Landt's Hist, of the Ferot 
Islands. 
